Homeless Outreach

Created in November 2013 to build and maintain stronger relationships between the Anaheim Police Department (APD) and our homeless populations, its mission is to reduce homelessness in the City of Anaheim and the region by finding long-term, supportive housing for homeless individuals and families through outreach, community education and multi-disciplinary collaboration. In addition to reducing homelessness, H.O.T. addresses criminal behavior through complaint driven enforcement. The foundation of the H.O.T.’s approach is partnership, and since its inception, this collaborative model has resulted in over 400 homeless individuals, including women and children finding long-term, supportive housing and a life off the street. Examples of the level of commitment put forth by the personnel dedicated to this complex issue include the reunification of families, sometimes requiring cross-country transportation and associated costs.

Partnerships

Since 2013, APD has partnered directly with regional law enforcement agencies, Orange County Mental Health and several non-profit service providers including City Net and Coast to Coast Foundation to bring as many available resources to bear in a multi-disciplinary approach to ending short-term and chronic homelessness. Further, this collaborative approach has proven successful in reducing the recurrence of homelessness among those who receive and participate in the wrap-around services.

Homeless Liaison Officer (H.L.O.) Program

Homeless Liaison Officers (HLO) are officers assigned to Patrol and other assignments who recognize the need in the community for the rapid provision of resources to the homeless community even when a H.O.T. Officer is not available. They voluntarily step forward to receive additional training to connect the homeless population with available services and resources by communicating and collaborating with multi-disciplinary service providers and partnering governmental agencies including Orange County Mental Health, City Net, Coast to Coast and other organizations to provide the individualized, specific support needed to find long-term, supportive housing and other services to address unmet life necessities. These necessities include food gift cards, gas cards, socks, clothing, and hygiene kits which APD officers have access to for those in need. Coast to Coast and APD HLO’s have also transported homeless individuals to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Social Security Office, and to various courts and government offices to assist them in navigating the system to receive Identification cards, renew driver licenses, pay court fines, and setting the individuals up with employment opportunities to help them get their lives on track.

Psychological Emergency Response Team (P.E.R.T.)

Anaheim’s Homeless Outreach Team also focuses on helping those within the homeless community are provided access to care for illnesses or health issues they may be suffering. Recognizing that a very significant proportion of the homeless population in Anaheim suffer some form of mental illness, APD’s HLO and H.O.T. Officers have received specific training on interacting with and supporting those suffering from mental illnesses. In addition, APD has assigned two (2) officers as the Psychological Emergency Response Team (PERT). Paired full-time with an Orange County Mental Health Clinician, PERT responds to emergent incidents in the field involving individuals in crisis, as well as to chronic situations wherein the individual’s mental condition is preventing him or her from escaping the cycle of homelessness. PERT results in the more rapid identification of available bed space and treatment options for those most vulnerable and most likely to generate additional police calls for service.

A community forum was held recently to discuss the public safety and security plan for the proposed Homeless Shelter & Multi-Service Center. If you would like to view the presentation, please click on the link below.